Building structure

ABSTRACT

A structure fabricated from two generally rectangular sheets of plastic or cardboard and provided with opposed, generally segmented elliptical notches or cut-out portions in opposed side edges of each sheet, each sheet being bent to an arch or inverted U-shaped configuration in order to comprise an arched covering with a lateral passageway therethrough provided by the elliptical cut-out portions. One of the arched sheets may be forced to overlie the other to provide two intersecting tunnels oriented 90* with respect to each other. For example, the sheets are retained in their arched configurations by securing the opposed side edges of each sheet to a base member, or alternatively, by maintaining the opposed side edges in spaced relationship with a plurality of straps, each of which straps is secured to a respective side edge of a sheet by a dowel pierced through the strap and the sheet.

United States Patent Gregory I [451 Apr.9, 1974 BUILDING STRUCTURE [76]Inventor: James R. Gregory, 78 Stratford Rd.,

East Brunswick, NJ. 08816 [22] Filed: May 30, 1972 [21] Appl. No.:257,848

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 634,759- 10/1899 Koch285/150 1,214,928 2/1917 Lachman 52/668 426,112 4/1890 Colby 61/162,372,187 3/1945 Davison 52/86 1,111,040 9/1914 Stalker 46/21 1,691,41111/1928 Royh 135/15 PQ 2,032,693 3/1936 Fries 52/668 2,061,510 11/1936Drunpelmann 46/21 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 626,346 7/1949 1 GreatBritain 52/86 Primary Examiner-Price C. Faw, Jr.

Assistant Examiner-H. E. Raduazo Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fide1man,Wolffe, Leitner & Hiney 57 ABSTRACT A structure fabricated from twogenerally rectangular sheets of plastic or cardboard and provided withopposed, generally segmented elliptical notches or cut out portions inopposed side edges of each sheet, each sheet being bent to an arch orinverted U-shaped configuration in order to comprise an arched coveringwith a lateral passageway therethrough provided by the ellipticalcut-out portions. One of the arched sheets maybe forced to overlie theother to provide two intersectingtunnels oriented 90 with respect toeach other. For example, the sheets are retained intheir archedconfigurations by securing the opposed side edges of each sheet to abase member, or alternatively, by maintaining the opposed side edges inspaced relationship with a plurality of straps, each of which straps issecured to a respective side edge of a sheet by a dowel pierced throughthe strap and the sheet.

10 Claims, 7 Drawing lFigures BUILDING STRUCTURE The present inventionrelates to a structure and, more specifically, to a vault-like portabletunnel structure. The present invention is characterized by two in,-tersecting tunnel sections of sufficient height that they may be used,e.g., as a toy, concession stand, shelter, etc. Since two intersectingtunnel sections are utilized, a plurality of intersecting passagewaysare provided to allow the provision of plural exits through the tunnelsor plural countersfor concession stands. Additionally, the particularconfiguration of the device lends stability to prevent its rolling ortipping. Further, the device may be made small enoughand sufficientlystable to permit children to vault or crawl over the intersecting tunnelsections, thereby permitting use of the invention as a vaulting deviceas well as a tunnel toy for children. The invention is easily fabricatedto two intersecting inverted arched sheet materials and is easilydisassembled for portability thereof.

FIG. 2 is an elevation of the device as illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section along the line 33 of FIG.'1; FIG. 4 is a plan viewof a rectangular sheet provided with opposed elliptical cut-out portionsand forming one of the sections according to the invention as shown inFIG. 1;

The sheets of the structure of the present invention are retained intheir arched configurations by securing the same by snap fasteners to aseparate base which also acts to provide a floor for the intersectingsections. Alternatively, the sections may be placed directly on theground which functions to provide a floor. In the latter practice, thesheets are retained in their arched configurations by a plurality ofstraps, each of which are of sufficient length to extend laterallyacross a section along the floor thereof and overlie the lower marginalportions of the section. The strap end portions and the lowermostmarginal portions of the tunnel section are provided with complimentaryaligned apertures for receiving locating dowels therethrough.Accordingly, the straps are secured to the sheets by means of dowels,thereby providing a construction which is readily assembled ordisassembled. When a large structure (e.g., up to about feet high) isdesired, more substantial framework should be provided. A conventionalconcrete foundation could be provided if a more permanent structure isdesired. In this'case steel or other prepositioned means could beutilized to hold the sections. Further, a plywood or other wood basewith upturned sides could be used if more size or support is neededforthe structure.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a building likestructure.

Another object is to provide a portable camping structure or concessionstand that is easily erected and disassembled.

.FIG. 5 isa plan view of a separate floor for the device as shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a strap which may be secured to the sections asshown in FIG. 1 in order to retain the sections in their archedconfigurations; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective of a section provided with the strapand with the locating dowels as shown in FIG. 6.

With more particular referenceto the drawing, there i is shown in FIG. 1a structure generally indicated at 10 and comprising a first elongatedsection 12 and a second intersecting section 14. A floor 16 is securedto the sections as will be hereinafter explained.

With reference to FIG. 4, each of the sections 12 and 14 are fabricatedfrom a single sheet of cardboard, plastic, metal or other sheetmaterial. Further, the sheet material can be colored as desired and,when used as a toy, of sufficient strength of support the weight ofchildren climbing or vaulting over the tunnel sections as shown in thecompleted device 10 of FIG. 1. For example, the tunnel. section 12 isprovided at its oppositemarginal side edges 18 and 20 with generallyU-shaped, or more particularly, elliptical cut-out portions 22 and 24,respectively. Additionally, the mar- A further object is to provide aplayground device which functions either as a tunneling toy or avaulting device.

An' additional object of the invention is to provide a device which isinexpensively and readily assembled and disassembled for portabilitythereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device which isreadily disassembled for portability and readily. assembled in a sturdy,stable configuration to provide a safe playgroundidevice.

Other objects and many attendant advantages of the invention will beapparent upon perusal of the following description taken in conjunctionwith the drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is aperspective of the assembled structure according to theinvention;

ginal portions of the sheet 12 adjacent to the side edges 18 and 20 areprovided with a plurality of snap fasteners 26 and 28, respectively.When large structures are to be made in which the snaps are not ofsufficient strength, dowels, bolts with large washers, prepositionedrods, etc. may be utilized. In addition, in some instances the snapscould be replaced with Velcro sealing pieces on the floor and archportions. The remaining opposed side edges 30 and 32 of sheet 12 formthe terminal end portions of the section as illustrated in FIG. 1, thedetails of which will be explained hereinafter. With reference to FIG.5, the base or floor 16 can be fabricated from the same or a differentplastic, cardboard, etc. or of wood, or any other suitable material witha general cross-configuration having extended aligned portions 32 and 34and additional oppositely extended andaligned extended portions 26 and38. A diagonally extending slit 40 is provided at the intersection ofthe extended portions 32 and 38. Similarly, a slit 42 is provided at theintersection of portions 34 and 38, a slit 44 is provided at theintersection of portions 34 and 36 and a slit 46 is provided at theintersections of portions 32 and 36. Provision of the diagonallyextending slit 40 defines a pair of integral flange portions 48 adjacentto the slit 40 and integral with the extended portions 32 and 38,respectively. For example, the flanges 48 may be folded to upstandingpositions generally along the dotted lines which are provided for thepurposes of illustration only. Similarly, a pair of flanges 50 aredefined adjacent the slit 42, a pair of flanges 52 are defined adjacentthe slit 44 and a pair of flanges 54 are provided adjacent to the slit46. As shown in the figure, for the purposes of illustration only,dotted lines further define the flanges 48, 50, 52 and 54. The flanges50, 52 and 54 may be folded along their illustrated dotted lines toupstanding positions for purposes to be hereinafter explained. However,it is to be understood that the flanges provided could be formed in thebase without requiring folding. Also, the flanges could be eliminatedand the floor provided with spaced protrusions on the underside, orholes to position the sections. However, in this embodiment, thesections may need some positioning means roughly equivalent to theflanges to hold the structure in an acceptable shape.

In fabrication of the device, reference will be made to FIGS. 1, 2 and3. The section 12 is bent to form an arch with the end portions 30 and32 forming the outer terminal portions of the section as shown inFIG. 1. The arched sheet 12 is placed in overlying relationship upon thebase 16 and, more specifically, in alignment over the extended alignedportions 36 and 38 of the base 16. The upstanding flanged portions 52and 54 are secured, respectively, to the marginal portions of the sheetadjacent the side edges 20 and 18. As shown in FIG. 2, the snaps 56 onthe flanges 52 and 54 are secured to the complimentary snap fasteners 26and 28. In a similar fashion, the snap fasteners associated with theflanges 48 and 50 of the extended base portion 38 are secured to theremaining snap fasteners 26 and 28 of the sheet 12 in order to retainthe arch configuration of the sheet and form the terminal end portion 32of the section as shown in FIG. 1.

With reference to FIGS. 1,2 and 3, the tunnel section 14, which isconfigured exactly the same as the tunnel section 12, is bent to form anarched elongated section and is placed in overlying relationship on thesection 12. It is understood that the section 14 is located 90 withrespect to the section 12. The tunnel sections 12 and 14 respectivelyintersect along their elliptical cutout portions, such as portions 22and 24 which are complimentarily aligned thereby. Accordingly, theelliptical cut-out portions provide passageways through the intersectingsections. It is understood that section 14- is secured to the remainingelongated portions 32 and 34 of the base 16 by securing the snapfasteners associated with the upstanding flanges 48, 50, 52 and 54 asheretofore described in conjunction with section 12. Thus, the base 16not only provides a secured floor but also retains the bent sheetsections 12 and 14 in arched configurations. Additionally, the base 16may be sized so as to maintain the arch shapes of sections 12 and 14 insegmented elliptical cross-sectional shapes, as shown in the drawings.

Accordingly, structure comprises two intersecting sections 12 and 14which, when in use as a toy, enable a plurality of children to enter andleave the interconnecting passageways in a variety of directions.Further, the arch configurations, particularly if segmentedelliptically, lend strength to the load supporting capabilities of thesections thereby enabling children to crawl or vault over the structurewithout danger of its collapse. The device lends itself to portabilitysince, upon dismantling, the flanges on base 16 and the tunnel portions12 and 14 can be readily collapsedto flat sheet configurations. Whenused as a tent, concession stand or other structure, the support featureis still present but size characteristics might require otherpositioning means than the straps, which means are discussed above. Whensuch other uses are envisioned, a sealing strip or other sealing meanswhich can be draped across the junctions of sections 12 and 14 may alsobe provided.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the separate base16 may be eliminated, thereby enabling the ground upon which structure10 is placed to act as the floor for sections 12 and 14. In the modifiedembodiment, sections 12 and 14 are fabricated as before with theexception that the snap fasteners 26 and 28 are replaced with apertures.As shown in FIG. 6, a strap 58 is provided with apertures 60 and 62 inits opposed end portions thereof. The end portions 52a and 54a of thestrap 58 may be folded along the illustrated dotted lines (provided forthe purposes of illustration only) to upstanding positions with respectto the remainder of the strap 58. The apertures 60 and 62 are providedto receive locating dowels, bolts or other positioning means 64 and 66,respectively, for a purpose to be explained.

With reference to FIG. 7, each of the sections, for example section 14as shown in the figure, is provided with a plurality of the straps suchas strap 58. More particularly, strap 58 is placed on the ground beneaththe tunnel portion 14 and is of sufficient length to extend between thelateral sides 68 and 70 of the section'.The upstanding end portions 52a'and 54a of strap 58 overlie the side portions 68 and 70 with theirapertures 60 and 62 respectively, overlying an aperture provided in thesection. Locating dowels 64 and 66 are received in the complimentaryaligned apertures therebysecuring strap 58 to section 14. Accordingly,strap 58 retains section 14in its arched configuration. It is understoodthat a plurality of like straps may be provided as described to ensurethat sections 12 and 14 are retained in their arched configuration.

The structure 10 of the present invention may be sized from small enoughto allow a child to crawl through it to large enough to act, e.g., as aconcert hall.

Thus assembled vertical heights as low as 2 feet and as high as 25 feetor more may be tolerated. Of course, the

length of each section 12 or 14 can be varied to almost any desiredlength. However, the length and height of the assembled structure can bedeterminative of the floor or strap strength and material, as well asthe material used therefor and the attaching means. The floor means canvary within the above described alternatives or may be of differentstructure, so long as the elliptical nature and strength of thestructure are retained. For ease of portability in larger structures,prepositioned folding points may be provided, e.g., transverse to theelliptical curve and in this case, as well as in plain structures,vertical support means such'as telescoping poles 70 (as shown in FIG. 7)may be provided for vertical positioning between the floor 16, ground orstraps 58, and the highest point in the structure. Positioning means arethen provided in sections 12 and '14 in this appended claims.

What is claimed is: 1. A structure comprising a first arched sectionprovided with inverted U-shaped cut-out portions, a second archedsection overlying said first section provided with inverted, U-shapedcut-out portions, said sections being formed from resilient sheets ofmaterial biased toward the flat position, said second sectionintersecting said first section with the cut-out portions of said secondsection in complimentary alignment with the cut-out portions of saidfirst section, thereby providing a plurality of intersecting passagewaysthrough said first and second sections, and removable means secured toeach of said sections for retaining them in said arched configurations.

2. The structure of claim 1, wherein said removable means comprises astrap provided with apertures in its end portions thereof, and saidsections are provided with complimentary aligned apertures, and saidstructure further includes locating dowels receivable in saidcomplimentary aligned apertures of said strap and said sections.

3. The structure of claim 1 and further including a floor havingextended portions extending beneath said intersecting sections.

4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said removable means comprisesflange portions on said floor, said flange portions being so constructedand arranged for folding to upstanding positions, and fastening meansbeing adapted for removably securing said flange portions to saidsections.

5. The structure of claim 4 wherein said fastening means include snapfasteners.

6. The structure of claim 1 wherein each of said sections is fabricatedfrom a single piece of sheet material, each sheet material being bent toan arch configuration defining the arch of the section, the archconfiguration being load bearing and preventing the collapse of saidtunnel section.

7. The structure of claim 6 wherein said cut-out portions are ofsegmented elliptical configurations, and said sections are bent to archconfigurations having segmented elliptical cross-sections for supportingthe weight of children climbing over said tunnel sections.

8. The structure of claim 1 wherein the intersection of said sections isfurther provided with sealing means adapted to prevent leakage into saidstructure.

9. The structure of claim 1 wherein said sections are further providedwith vertical support means.

10. The structure of claim 9 wherein said supports are telescopingpoles.

1. A structure comprising a first arched section provided with invertedU-shaped cut-out portions, a second arched section overlying said firstsection provided with inverted, U-shaped cut-out portions, said sectionsbeing formed from resilient sheets of material biased toward the flatposition, said second section intersecting said first section with thecut-out portions of said second section in complimentary alignment withthe cutout portions of said first section, thereby providing a pluralityof intersecting passageways through said first and second sections, andremovable means secured to each of said sections foR retaining them insaid arched configurations.
 2. The structure of claim 1, wherein saidremovable means comprises a strap provided with apertures in its endportions thereof, and said sections are provided with complimentaryaligned apertures, and said structure further includes locating dowelsreceivable in said complimentary aligned apertures of said strap andsaid sections.
 3. The structure of claim 1 and further including a floorhaving extended portions extending beneath said intersecting sections.4. The structure of claim 3 wherein said removable means comprisesflange portions on said floor, said flange portions being so constructedand arranged for folding to upstanding positions, and fastening meansbeing adapted for removably securing said flange portions to saidsections.
 5. The structure of claim 4 wherein said fastening meansinclude snap fasteners.
 6. The structure of claim 1 wherein each of saidsections is fabricated from a single piece of sheet material, each sheetmaterial being bent to an arch configuration defining the arch of thesection, the arch configuration being load bearing and preventing thecollapse of said tunnel section.
 7. The structure of claim 6 whereinsaid cut-out portions are of segmented elliptical configurations, andsaid sections are bent to arch configurations having segmentedelliptical cross-sections for supporting the weight of children climbingover said tunnel sections.
 8. The structure of claim 1 wherein theintersection of said sections is further provided with sealing meansadapted to prevent leakage into said structure.
 9. The structure ofclaim 1 wherein said sections are further provided with vertical supportmeans.
 10. The structure of claim 9 wherein said supports aretelescoping poles.